To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the local authorities which have bid for new housing partnership funding for the period 1999–2002, detailing for each authority (a) if the bid is a feasibility study of stock transfers, how many dwellings are covered by the study and (b) if the bid is for actual transfers of homes, how many dwellings the authority plans to transfer, if funding requirements are met in full. [67499]

All local authorities except Angus Council have submitted bids for New Housing Partnership funding for the period 1999–2002. Bids are at present being assessed by the New Housing Partnerships Advisory Group which will be making recommendations to Ministers. An announcement on the successful bids, including those involving feasibility work for councils considering the possibility of housing transfer, is expected around the end of February.From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.